Four years after scoring a box-office touchdown with Blade (1998), actor Wesley Snipes returns to portray the Marvel Comics character again in this sequel that teams him with Mexican horror director Guillermo del Toro. A half-vampire,… MoreFour years after scoring a box-office touchdown with Blade (1998), actor Wesley Snipes returns to portray the Marvel Comics character again in this sequel that teams him with Mexican horror director Guillermo del Toro. A half-vampire, half-human hybrid, Blade (Snipes) is a merciless vampire hunter bent on destroying the bloodsuckers that feed on humanity. The keys to Blade's success are a serum that allows him to resist the urge for blood and an array of inventive, deadly weapons, both of which were once supplied by his mentor, Whistler (Kris Kristofferson). Since Whistler's death, Blade has relocated to Prague and recruited the pot-smoking slacker Scud (Norman Reedus) to take the place of his father figure, but then he discovers that Whistler's not dead after all: He's been infected with the vampire virus. Reunited with Whistler, Blade is dealt an even bigger surprise: His greatest enemy, vampire leader Damaskinos (Thomas Kretschmann), wants to make peace with him. It seems that the vampires are facing a greater threat than Blade and hope to persuade him to fight the Reapers, a mutated super-race of vampires on a rampage of murder, indiscriminately killing both humans and their fellow bloodsuckers while sucking their victims dry. Blade agrees to a truce and joins the Bloodpack, an elite squad of commandos originally formed to fight Blade himself. Soon, the vampire soldiers discover that the virus responsible for creating their enemies is spreading rapidly and can be traced back to a mysterious "Patient Zero." Blade 2 (2002) co-stars Ron Perlman, Leonor Varela, Donnie Yen, and Matt Schulze. ~ Karl Williams, Rovi

Del Toro is a stylish horrormeister, and he has created an evocative, foreboding atmosphere. But only a fan of this kind of mayhem could find a way into the story. And only a critic, sworn to serve, could stick it out to the end.

No one seems to be having much fun, with the possible exception of Kris Kristofferson, who is back as Blade's venerable human sidekick, Whistler. The film finds few variations on the themes of run, kick, chomp and gulp.

In the inventive fight scenes, [Blade's] sword clangs, and there are sluicing sounds when it finds its target, all in keeping with the unapologetic bang! blam! pop! comic-book spin director Guillermo Del Toro brings to the film.

Wesley Snipes once again dons the leather overcoat, this time to join forces with an elite vampire unit to combat a race of Nosferatu-like zombie vampire… MoreWesley Snipes once again dons the leather overcoat, this time to join forces with an elite vampire unit to combat a race of Nosferatu-like zombie vampire hybrids who threaten to over-run both races. Blade II is essentially the vampire film's answer to Aliens with the high-octane action of the first film still in evidence but this time it is added to by Guillermo Del Toro's keen sense of style and atmosphere. The production design is fantastic and the script involving different factions constantly vying for the upper hand is far more complex than that of most superhero films (David Goyer went on to co-write The Dark Knight). My only gripe is that some of the CGI is starting to look a little dated in a similar way to the original Spiderman films, but this is a comparatively minor point. It may not be to everyone's taste, but for fans of the genre it is a visceral cocktail of vampiric gore and martial arts mayhem that action junkies and horror fans alike should not miss.

I actually thought this was a notch better than the first. Fight scenes are even gorier, yes.

Tim Salmons

On par with the first film. You really have to psyche yourself out to enjoy this series. This isn't a particularly strong-minded film. No it's a… MoreOn par with the first film. You really have to psyche yourself out to enjoy this series. This isn't a particularly strong-minded film. No it's a rather dumb but fun sort of entertainment. I like it a lot, but the CGI in it really bothers me. It sticks out like a sore thumb and has no business in this movie. The acting and dialogue are the usual cheesy fair while the music is very, very nice. The action scenes, and there are an abundance of them, are well-choreographed but lack a lot of character. Overall, I find it very entertaining - just not necessarily well-made (even for Del Toro).

JY Skacto

Guillermo del Toro does Blade right with <i>Blade II</i>.<p>Spanning an hour and 50 minutes, there is enough entertainment value to hold… MoreGuillermo del Toro does Blade right with <i>Blade II</i>.<p>Spanning an hour and 50 minutes, there is enough entertainment value to hold everything together. Set at a decent pace, the plot details come steady and at the right times, while the story houses a good combination of action, violence, and even some drama to top it all off.</p><p>The action is stylized with some great choreography, including some over the top moves backed by solid CG. The transition between CG to live action melds well during the fights scenes.</p><p>Wesley Snipes is one confident Blade, thus leading to a favorable hero. Ron Perlman and Luke Goss provider some excellent supporting characters and Leonor Varela is a delight on screen. If there is a flaw in this film, it is the under utilization of Donnie Yen.</p><p><i>Blade II</i> comes together well, leaving a recommendable sci-fi action picture.</p>

Kevin M. Williams

Vampires are the hunted as a hybrid strain, a super vampire, feeds on both humans and vampires, and so the undead call on Blade to help them out. Del Toro… MoreVampires are the hunted as a hybrid strain, a super vampire, feeds on both humans and vampires, and so the undead call on Blade to help them out. Del Toro gives the fans action, action, and more action - and creepy make-up and special effects. Bang for your buck indeed.

Martin Sahlin

Welll this was even better than the first one...All the flaws have been fixed. And I even think most of the effects was really good. And I was very impressed by… MoreWelll this was even better than the first one...All the flaws have been fixed. And I even think most of the effects was really good. And I was very impressed by Wesley's fighting skills.

Drake Tsui

It's a good premise and story, it brings some really great ideas with the Reapers and "alliance" with the vampires, but all of it gets bogged… MoreIt's a good premise and story, it brings some really great ideas with the Reapers and "alliance" with the vampires, but all of it gets bogged down by redundant action sequences that end up delivering an empty beat-ehm-up conclusion that only a 12 year old boy would enjoy.

Eugene Bernabe

It's a significant improvement from the first installment of this Marvel comic. Blade II is more darker, yet stylish but still suffers from the lack of… MoreIt's a significant improvement from the first installment of this Marvel comic. Blade II is more darker, yet stylish but still suffers from the lack of character presentation and consistent storytelling. Wesley Snipes, once again wields the sword with a sharper edge, but still one-sided. 4/5

Alex roy

First off let me get this out of the way, I love del Toro's work, I think he's a creative genius, and that he's got immense talent as a director.… MoreFirst off let me get this out of the way, I love del Toro's work, I think he's a creative genius, and that he's got immense talent as a director. But this sequel to Blade just doesn't cut it. I've always been a fan of the more traditional vampire films, and the Blade films just don't cut it for me. I like the first Underworld film, but that's a whole different story. At least the first Underworld film was good, fun with a decent cast and good action, however the Blade films really don't deliver that for me. This sequel is a poor attempt at delivering a follow-up to an already poor action horror film. I hate the whole half man, half vampire concept and as a fan of conventional vampire films, I just didn't like this type of film. del Toro on the other hand directs some interesting action scenes, but the rest fall flat, and it just doesn't cut it. Blade II is a poor film that is tiresome, and poorly conceived. The cast is horrible and don't deliver on-screen. I honestly felt bored watching this film. Wesley Snipes is a terrible actor, and he shows us that he is most certainly that in this sequel to a terrible action horror film. Blade II is bad, and it disappointed me; I really wanted to like this film, however I just couldn't get into it. If you're looking for a good vampire film, Blade II isn't that film. The cast and plot are horrible, and this film is simply forgettable.

Chris Weber

Guillermo del Toro takes over the reins on this sequel to the successful Blade, and, picking up right where that one left off, delivers a very strong film that… MoreGuillermo del Toro takes over the reins on this sequel to the successful Blade, and, picking up right where that one left off, delivers a very strong film that not only does what a good sequel should, but manages to become a better and stronger film as well.
After tracking down the absent Whistler, Blade and his new weaponsmith Scud are approached by a group of vampires who need the help of the Daywalker and his assistants to combat a new type of creature who is a threat to both humans and vampires- the Reaper, a type of vampire who is afflicted by a virus which causes themto be stronger, more deadly, have the need to feed more frequently, have the desire to prey on both humans and vampires, and can only really be taken down by the sun.
It's a great concept, and I like that this film adds to the mythology and world building set up by the first. Nioce conflicts are built up as an uneasy truce is formed, and, probably best fo all, the action is plentiful, well done, and the effects and makeup are top notch.
Del Toro is an inspired choice as a director for this sort of thing, and his style works nicely here, especially with the creepy and freakish Reapers. The pace is nice, with room for both action and development, and the cast is awesome. Snipes once again delivers in what has become his signature role (at least for many people). Kristofferson is also good once again as Whistler, but it's the supporting cast who really stand out here, including previous del Toro collaborators Norman Reedus and Ron Perlman (hell, it's odd when this guy ISN'T in a del Toro film). I also liked seeing Matt Schulze and Leonor Varela in action.
The film has lots of gore and gross moments, but they serve the story, and are handled in a cool and stylish manner. These sort of thigns aren't too big an issue for me in general, but they might be for some people, hence my mentioning them. If you handled the first film, you can handle this. If you can handle some of the oter films del Toro has done, you should kinda know what to expect in terms of creatures and what not.
Filled with tons of action, a great story, and a few doses of humor here and there, this is an awesome and very satisfying film. I really liked Blade. I love Blade II.

Al S

It's extremely well-done. Director, Guillermo Del Toro creates a solid and visionary movie. A masterwork. An incredibly fun thrill-machine of a movie. Even… MoreIt's extremely well-done. Director, Guillermo Del Toro creates a solid and visionary movie. A masterwork. An incredibly fun thrill-machine of a movie. Even better the the first film. It's bloody excellent. A pure adrenaline-pumping and spectacular non-stop action film that never lets up. An explosive mix of chilling horror, explosive action, great special effects and scorching suspense. Wesley Snipes is at his very best. Ron Perlman is terrific. Luke Goss is excellent.